I’ve lost lots of money on Ipswich this season; starting way back in August when I backed them to win the Championship. Talk about the heart ruling the head! I fancied Town to get something on Saturday however so I betted on them to win. But when Jonas Knudsen was shown a direct red midway through the first half, I thought oh no, here we go again! Then, of course, Will Keane equalised from the spot and we hung for to dear life to the bitter end.
It was at the bitter end that my head started to rule my heart when Joe Garner entered the fray. I was so convinced that he would score facing his former club that I left the game briefly and went back to the two websites where I had placed my bet and took advantage of their cash back offer, which meant I won considerably more than my initial investment but quite a bit less than my original wager that would have seen the Blues triumph against all the odds!
I thought to myself I cannot lose here. If Ipswich continue to hang on for all three points, then I already have money in the bank but within seconds of changing my bet Joe Garner scored and what would have been an incredible three points under such trying circumstances became one, and the Tractor Boys came home with another 1-1 score draw, which is now three in a row. It also means we are unbeaten in three but because Reading and Rotherham could only draw, this was arguably Town’s last chance to seriously close the gap.
It has been a truly awful season and although the squad is fighting to the bitter end Lady Luck has deserted us. Referee Lee Probert made an error in my view. If you look at the slow-motion replays you can clearly see that captain Luke Chambers is behind Knudsen and therefore he was not the last defender and should not have got a straight red.
I think Probert felt a bit guilty about that decision and balanced things out when he awarded a penalty to Town shortly after when Quaner fell to the ground unconvincingly in the box. Sadly though, the damage was done but before we found ourselves with our backs to the wall, we did have the odd chance to increase our lead but taking chances has not been our forte all season and nor have referees!
Manager Paul Lambert blamed poor Flynn Downes for not stopping the cross but he tried his damnedest to stay with Reece James but the pacy winger was too quick for him and had been The Latics star player all afternoon. Personally, I don’t think the criticism was deserved. If he wants to blame anyone he should blame me, for changing my bet and perhaps changing the outcome of the game?
F.W. Editor of Vital Ipswich
